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American Football GOAT Ranking

Live Updates: 1 Users

Who is the GOAT of American Football? This is a live fan-vote ranking. As of April 10, 2026, Patrick Mahomes is #1 with 219 votes (1,130 total fan votes).

Top contenders: Patrick Mahomes • Peyton Manning • Tom Brady

How Rankings Work

Leaderboards rank athletes by net GOAT score (upvotes minus downvotes). Weekly archives capture fixed snapshots, while live pages update in real time as votes are submitted.

Global Player Search

Search the full American Football list by player name, achievements, or birthplace.

50 total players
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Rank #1
Patrick Mahomes

Patrick
Mahomes

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Every experience, good or bad, you have to learn from it.

Total Votes219
Rank #2
Peyton Manning

Peyton
Manning

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Pressure is something you feel when you don't know what the hell you're doing.

Total Votes153
Rank #3
Tom Brady

Tom
Brady

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Too old? Too slow? Still here.

Total Votes152
Rank #4
Jerry Rice

Jerry
Rice

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Today I will do what others won't, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can't.

Total Votes151
Rank #5
Deion Sanders

Deion
Sanders

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If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good. If you play good, they pay good.

Total Votes71
Rank #6
Reggie White

Reggie
White

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Retired as all-time sack leader

Total Votes70
Rank #7
Barry Sanders

Barry
Sanders

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I never played to break records. I played to be the best teammate I could be.

Total Votes70
Rank #8
Dan Marino

Dan
Marino

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I am always chasing perfection.

Total Votes70
Rank #9
Drew Brees

Drew
Brees

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You are either getting better or you are getting worse.

Total Votes70
Rank #10
Roger Staubach

Roger
Staubach

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Won Heisman Trophy and Super Bowl MVP

Total Votes70
Rank #11
Aaron Donald

Aaron
Donald

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Record for sacks by a defensive tackle

Total Votes59
Rank #12
J.J. Watt

J.J.
Watt

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Only player with two 20+ sack seasons

Total Votes50
Rank #13
Joe Montana

Joe
Montana

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Winners, I am convinced, imagine their dreams first.

Total Votes8
Rank #14
Don Hutson

Don
Hutson

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First modern receiver

Total Votes8
Rank #15
Johnny Unitas

Johnny
Unitas

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Threw a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games

Total Votes6
Rank #16
Lawrence Taylor

Lawrence
Taylor

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Let's go out there like a bunch of crazed dogs and have some fun.

Total Votes3
Rank #17
Joe Greene

Joe
Greene

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Cornerstone of the Steel Curtain

Total Votes3
Rank #18
Otto Graham

Otto
Graham

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Highest career winning percentage for a QB

Total Votes3
Rank #19
Ed Reed

Ed
Reed

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Preparation is how you make plays look easy.

Total Votes3
Rank #20
Troy Polamalu

Troy
Polamalu

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Known for his instincts and hair

Total Votes3
Rank #21
Jim Brown

Jim
Brown

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Make sure when anyone tackles you he remembers how much it hurts.

Total Votes2
Rank #22
Walter Payton

Walter
Payton

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Never die easy.

Total Votes2
Rank #23
Dick Butkus

Dick
Butkus

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Most feared tackler in history

Total Votes2
Rank #24
Ronnie Lott

Ronnie
Lott

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Known for hard hits and versatility

Total Votes2
Rank #25
Anthony Muñoz

Anthony
Muñoz

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Considered greatest offensive lineman ever

Total Votes2
Rank #26
Ray Lewis

Ray
Lewis

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Wins and losses come a dime a dozen. But effort? Nobody can judge that. Because effort is between you and you.

Total Votes2
Rank #27
Brett Favre

Brett
Favre

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First QB to reach 70

Total Votes2
Rank #28
Emmitt Smith

Emmitt
Smith

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All-time leading rusher

Total Votes2
Rank #29
John Elway

John
Elway

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Oldest QB to win a Super Bowl (at the time)

Total Votes2
Rank #30
Randy Moss

Randy
Moss

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Most receiving touchdowns in a season (23)

Total Votes2
Rank #31
Gale Sayers

Gale
Sayers

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Youngest player inducted into Hall of Fame

Total Votes2
Rank #32
Charles Woodson

Charles
Woodson

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Only defensive player to win Heisman and have HOF NFL career

Total Votes2
Rank #33
Alan Page

Alan
Page

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First defensive player to win MVP

Total Votes2
Rank #34
Bruce Smith

Bruce
Smith

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All-time career sack leader

Total Votes2
Rank #35
Marshall Faulk

Marshall
Faulk

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Only player with 12k rushing and 6k receiving yards

Total Votes2
Rank #36
Eric Dickerson

Eric
Dickerson

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Single-season rushing record (2

Total Votes2
Rank #37
Steve Young

Steve
Young

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Highest passer rating record holder for years

Total Votes2
Rank #38
Terrell Owens

Terrell
Owens

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Top 3 in career receiving yards and touchdowns

Total Votes2
Rank #39
Calvin Johnson

Calvin
Johnson

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Most receiving yards in a single season (1

Total Votes2
Rank #40
Larry Fitzgerald

Larry
Fitzgerald

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Most receptions in a single postseason

Total Votes2
Rank #41
Rob Gronkowski

Rob
Gronkowski

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I am a party.

Total Votes2
Rank #42
Tony Gonzalez

Tony
Gonzalez

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All-time leader in receptions and yards for Tight Ends

Total Votes2
Rank #43
Kellen Winslow

Kellen
Winslow

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Revolutionized the tight end position

Total Votes2
Rank #44
Mike Ditka

Mike
Ditka

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First tight end inducted into Hall of Fame

Total Votes2
Rank #45
Jack Lambert

Jack
Lambert

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Premier linebacker of his era

Total Votes2
Rank #46
Ray Nitschke

Ray
Nitschke

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Defensive anchor of the Lombardi Packers

Total Votes2
Rank #47
Night Train Lane

Night
Train Lane

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Record for most interceptions in a season (14)

Total Votes2
Rank #48
Rod Woodson

Rod
Woodson

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Most interceptions returned for touchdowns

Total Votes1
Rank #49
Aaron Rodgers

Aaron
Rodgers

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R-E-L-A-X.

Total Votes0
Rank #50
Bart Starr

Bart
Starr

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Highest playoff passer rating

Total Votes-167

Ranking Methodology

Rankings are based on net GOAT score: every upvote adds points and every downvote subtracts points. Profiles also show total ballots (upvotes + downvotes) so support volume is visible.

Weekly archive snapshots store the leaderboard state at a specific date so each week has a fixed, referenceable ranking page.

Boosts increase visibility and activity but the ranking score shown on profile and sport pages follows the same vote model. Automated abuse checks, rate limits, and CAPTCHA controls are used to protect integrity.

FAQ

Who is considered the GOAT of American Football right now?

As of April 10, 2026, Patrick Mahomes is #1 in the live American Football fan-vote ranking. Current leaders: 1. Patrick Mahomes 2. Peyton Manning 3. Tom Brady.

Is this an official American Football ranking?

No. Vote The Goat is a fan-vote ranking for american football. It reflects community voting, not an official federation or league decision.

How are the American Football GOAT rankings calculated?

American Football rankings are based on live fan votes. Votes update leaderboard positions in real time as they are submitted.

Can I vote for multiple American Football players?

Yes. You can vote across multiple american football legends, and each vote impacts the live ranking position.

How often are American Football rankings updated?

American Football rankings update continuously as new votes come in.

Where can I see older American Football rankings?

Use the archive pages to browse past weekly snapshots and compare how american football rankings changed over time.

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